GFCI receptacle having blocking means

ABSTRACT

Located within a GFCI device having a receptacle is a movable contact bearing arm which is held in either a closed or open position with a fixed contact by a latching member that is connected to the spring loaded reset button. The reset button assumes a first or a second position which is determined by the conductive state of the GFCI. When the GFC is in a conducting state, the reset button is substantially fully depressed within the housing of the GFCI. When the GFCI is in a non-conductive state, the reset button projects outward beyond the top surface of the housing of the GCFI. Thus, the movable contact bearing arm, acting through a latching member, determines the position of the reset button. A blocking member located within the body of the GFCI is positioned by the reset button to allow free access of the prongs of a plug into the openings of the receptacle when the reset button is depressed or to block at least one opening of the receptacle to prevent a plug from entering the openings of the receptacle when the reset button projects out beyond the surface of the housing. Thus, when the GFCI is in a conducting state, the reset button is recessed within the GFCI housing and positions the blocking member to the first position to allow the prongs of a plug to be inserted into the receptacle openings. When the GFCI is in a non-conducting state, the reset button protrudes outward from the housing of the GFCI to position the blocking member to the second position to block at least one opening of the receptacle to prevent the prongs of a plug from entering the receptacle. GFCI&#39;s normally have two separate sets of internally located contacts known as bridge contacts where one set is used to connect a load to the source of electricity and the second set is used to connect a user accessible load to the source of electricity. The bridge contacts provide isolation between the conductors to the load and the conductors to the contacts of the GFCI receptacle when the GFCI is in a fault state. In the GFCI here disclosed, the blocking member prevents the prongs of a plug from entering the receptacle when the GFCI is in a fault state and, therefore, can eliminate the need for the bridge contacts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to resettable circuitinterrupting devices and systems and more particularly to a ground faultcircuit interrupter (GFCI) device and receptacle having plug blockingmeans.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Many electrical wiring devices have a line side, which isconnectable to an electrical power supply, a load side which isconnectable to one or more loads and at least one conductive pathbetween the line and load sides. Electrical connections to wiressupplying electrical power or wires conducting electricity to one ormore loads can be at the line side and load side connections. Theelectrical wiring device industry has witnessed an increasing call forcircuit breaking devices or systems which are designed to interruptpower to various loads, such as household appliances, consumerelectrical products and branch circuits. In particular, electrical codesrequire electrical circuits in home bathrooms and kitchens to beequipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). Presentlyavailable GFCI devices, such as the device described in commonly ownedU.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894 ('894), use an electrically activated tripmechanism to mechanically break an electrical connection between theline side and the load side. Such devices are resettable after they aretripped by, for example, detection of a ground fault. In the devicedisclosed in the '894 patent, the trip mechanism used to cause themechanical breaking of the circuit (i.e., the conductive path betweenthe line and load sides) includes a solenoid or trip coil. A test buttonis used to test the trip mechanism and circuitry is provided to sensefaults. A reset button is provided to reset the electrical connectionbetween the line and load sides.

[0005] However, instances may arise where an abnormal condition such asa lightning strike may result not only in a surge of electricity at thedevice which can cause a tripping of the device but can also disable thetrip mechanism used to cause the mechanical breaking of the circuit.This can occur without the knowledge of the user. Under suchcircumstances an unknowing user, faced with a GFCI which has tripped,may press the reset button which, in turn, will cause the device with aninoperative trip mechanism to be reset without the ground faultprotection being available.

[0006] Further, an open neutral condition, which is defined inUnderwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard PAG 943A, may exist with theelectrical wires supplying electrical power to such GFCI devices. If anopen neutral condition exists with the neutral wire on the line (versusload) side of the GFCI device, an instance may arise where a currentpath is created from the phase (or hot) wire supplying power to the GFCIdevice through the load side of the device and a person to ground. Inthe event that an open neutral condition exists, a GFCI device which hastripped, may be reset even though the open neutral condition may remain.

[0007] Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,967, which is incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference, describes a family of resettablecircuit interrupting devices capable of locking out the reset portion ofthe device if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or ifan open neutral condition exists. Circuit interrupting devices normallyhave a user accessible load side connection such as a GFCI protectedreceptacle in addition to line and load side connections such as bindingscrews. The user accessible load side connected receptacle can be usedto connect an appliance such as a toaster or the like to electricalpower supplied from the line side. The load side connection and thereceptacle are typically electrically connected together. As noted, suchdevices are connected to external wiring so that line wires areconnected to the line side connection and load side wires are connectedto the load side connection. However, instances may occur where thecircuit interrupting device is improperly connected to the externalwires so that the load wires are connected to the line side connectionand the line wires are connected to the load connection. This is knownas reverse wiring. Such wiring is prevalent in new construction, wherepower is not yet provided to the residence branch circuits and theelectrician has difficulty in distinguishing between the line side andload side conductors. In the event the circuit interrupting device isreverse wired, the user accessible load connection may not be protected,even if fault protection to the load side connection remains.

[0008] A resettable circuit interrupting device, such as a GFCI device,that includes reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independenttrip portion and/or a reset lockout portion is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,246,558, ('558) assigned to the same assignee as this inventionand incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Patent '558utilizes bridge contacts located within the GFCI to isolate theconductors to the receptacle contacts from the conductors to the load ifthe line side wiring to the GFCI is improperly connected to the loadside when the GFCI is in a tripped state. The trip portion operatesindependently of the circuit interrupting portion used to break theelectrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. Thereset lockout portion prevents reestablishing electrical continuity ofan open conductive path if the circuit interrupting portion is notoperational or if an open neutral condition exists.

[0009] While the breaking of the electrical circuit and the utilizationof bridge contacts provides electrical isolation protection between theload conductors and the receptacle contacts when the GFCI is in atripped or non-conducting state, means which can prevent the prongs of aplug from being inserted into the receptacle of a GFCI when in anon-conducting state, either with or without the bridge contacts isdesired to provide added user safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one embodiment, the circuit interrupting device such as a GFCIincludes phase and neutral conductive paths disposed at least partiallywithin a housing between the line and load sides. The phase conductivepath terminates at a first connection capable of being electricallyconnected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable ofconducting electricity to at least one load and a third connectioncapable of conducting electricity to at least one user accessible loadthrough a receptacle. Similarly, the neutral conductive path terminatesat a first connection capable of being electrically connected to asource of electricity, a second connection capable of providing aneutral connection to the at least one load and a third connectioncapable of providing a neutral connection to the at least one useraccessible load through the receptacle. The first and second connectionscan be screw terminals.

[0011] The GFCI also includes a circuit interrupting portion disposedwithin the housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity inone or both of the phase and neutral conductive paths between the lineside and the load side upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition.A reset portion activated by depressing a spring loaded reset buttondisposed at least partially within the housing is configured toreestablish electrical continuity in the open conductive paths. Thereset button assumes a first or a second position which is determined bythe conductive state of the GFCI. When the GFCI is in a conductingstate, the reset button is substantially fully depressed within thehousing of the GFCI, here referred to as a first position. When the GFCIis in a non-conducting state, the reset button projects outward beyondthe top surface of the housing of the GFCI, here referred to as thesecond position.

[0012] The GFCI also includes a reset lockout that preventsreestablishing electrical continuity in either the phase or neutralconductive path, or both conductive paths if the circuit interruptingportion is not operating properly. Depression of the reset button causesat least a portion of the phase conductive path to contact at least onereset contact. When contact is made between the phase conductive pathand the at least one reset contact the circuit interrupting portion isactivated to disable the reset lockout portion and reestablishelectrical continuity in the phase and neutral conductive paths.

[0013] The GFCI also includes a trip portion that operates independentlyof the circuit interrupting portion. The trip portion is disposed atleast partially within the housing and is configured to cause electricaldiscontinuity in the phase and/or neutral conductive paths independentlyof the operation of the circuit interrupting portion. The trip portionincludes a trip actuator, such as a button, accessible from the exteriorof the housing and a trip arm preferably within the housing whichextends from the trip actuator. The trip arm is configured to facilitatethe mechanical breaking of electrical continuity in the phase and /orneutral conductive paths when the trip actuator is actuated.

[0014] Located within a GFCI device having a receptacle is a movablecontact bearing arm which is held in either a closed or open positionwith a fixed contact by a latching member that is connected to thespring loaded reset button. The reset button assumes a first or a secondposition which is determined by the conductive state of the GFCI. Whenthe GFC is in a conducting state, the reset button is substantiallyfully depressed within the housing of the GFCI. When the GFCI is in anon-conductive state, the reset button projects outward beyond the topsurface of the housing of the GCFI. Thus, the movable contact bearingarm, acting through a latching member, determines the position of thereset button. A blocking member located within the body of the GFCI ispositioned by the reset button to allow free access of the prongs of aplug into the openings of the receptacle when the reset button isdepressed or to block at least one opening of the receptacle to preventa plug from entering the openings of the receptacle when the resetbutton projects out beyond the surface of the housing. Thus, when theGFCI is in a conducting state, the reset button is recessed within theGFCI housing and positions the blocking member to the first position toallow the prongs of a plug to be inserted into the receptacle openings.When the GFCI is in a non-conducting state, the reset button protrudesoutward from the housing of the GFCI to position the blocking member tothe second position to block at least one opening of the receptacle toprevent the prongs of a plug from entering the receptacle. GFCI'snormally have two separate sets of internally located contacts known asbridge contacts where one set is used to connect a load to the source ofelectricity and the second set is used to connect a user accessible loadto the source of electricity. The bridge contacts provide isolationbetween the conductors to the load and the conductors to the contacts ofthe GFCI receptacle when the GFCI is in a fault state. In the GFCI heredisclosed, the blocking member prevents the prongs of a plug fromentering the receptacle when the GFCI is in a fault state and,therefore, can eliminate the need for the bridge contacts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present application are describedherein with reference to the drawings in which similar elements aregiven similar reference characters, wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a prior artground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of aportion of the GFCI device shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the GFCI devicein a conducting state;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of internal components of the prior artGFCI device of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a conductivepath shown in FIG. 3;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the circuit of the GFCI device ofFIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a GFCI device which has no bridgecontacts; and,

[0022]FIG. 7 is a top partial view of a blocking member in a GFCI devicein accordance with the principles of the invention where the coverportion of the receptacle is shown in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present application contemplates various types of circuitinterrupting devices that are capable of breaking at least oneconductive path at both a line side and a load side of the device. Theconductive path is typically divided between a line side that connectsto supplied electrical power and a load side that connects to one ormore loads. The term resettable circuit interrupting devices includeground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's), arc fault circuitinterrupters (AFCI's), immersion detection circuit interrupters(IDCI's), appliances leakage circuit interrupters (ALCI's), andequipment leakage circuit interrupters (ELCI's) which have a receptaclefor receiving a plug.

[0024] For the purpose of the present application, the structure ormechanisms used in the circuit interrupting devices, shown in thedrawings and described below, are incorporated into a GFCI protectedreceptacle which can receive at least one plug and is suitable forinstallation in a single gang junction box used in, for example, aresidential electrical wiring system. However, the mechanisms accordingto the present application can be included in any of the variousresettable circuit interrupting devices.

[0025] The GFCI receptacle described herein has line and load phase (orpower) connectors, line and load neutral connectors and a plug receivingreceptacle to provide user accessible load phase and neutralconnections. These connectors can be, for example, electrical fasteningdevices that secure or connect external conductors to the circuitinterrupting device. Examples of such connectors can include bindingscrews, lugs, terminals and external plug connections.

[0026] In one embodiment, the GFCI receptacle has a circuit interruptingportion, a reset portion, a reset lockout and a blocking member toprevent the prongs of a plug from entering the receptacle when the GFCIis in a fault or non-conducting state. The circuit interrupting andreset portions described herein use electromechanical components tobreak (open) and make (close) one or more conductive paths between theline and load sides of the device. However, electrical components suchas solid state switches and supporting circuitry, may be used to openand close the conductive paths.

[0027] Generally, the circuit interrupting portion is used toautomatically break electrical continuity in one or more conductivepaths (i.e. open the conductive path) between the line and load sidesupon the detection of a fault. The reset button is used to close theopen conductive paths. The positioning of the blocking member to preventthe prongs of a plug from entering the openings in the receptacle when afault is detected, is determined by the position of the reset button. Amovable arm supporting at least one of the contacts between the lineside and the load side, acting through a latching member, determines theposition of the reset button. The reset button is used to disable thereset lockout, close the open conductive paths and reset the blockingmember to its open position to permit a plug to be inserted into thereceptacle. The reset button and reset lockout portions operate inconjunction with the operation of the circuit interrupting portion, sothat electrical continuity cannot be reestablished and the blockingmember continues to block at least one opening of the receptacle toprevent the prongs of a plug from entering the receptacle when thecircuit interrupting portion is not operational, when an open neutralcondition exists and/or the device is reverse wired.

[0028] The above described structure of a blocking member to selectivelyblock at least one opening of the receptacle can be incorporated in anyresettable circuit interrupting device, but for explanation purposes,the description herein is directed to GFCI receptacles.

[0029]FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are of a GFCI device such as is disclosed incommonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,558, which is incorporated in itsentirety herein by reference, and where portions of which are hereincluded to provide a full and complete understanding of the inventionhere disclosed. Turning to FIG. 1, the GFCI receptacle 10 has a housing12 consisting of a central body 14 to which a face or cover portion 16and a rear portion 18 are removably secured. The face portion 16 hasentry ports 20 and 21 for receiving normal or polarized prongs of a maleplug of the type normally found at the end of a lamp or appliance cordset, as well as ground prong receiving openings 22 to accommodate athree wire plug. The receptacle also includes a mounting strap 24 usedto fasten the receptacle to a junction box.

[0030] A test button 26 which extends through opening 28 in the faceportion 16 of the housing 12 is used to activate a test operation, thattests the operation of the circuit interrupting portion (or circuitinterrupter) disposed in the device. The circuit interrupting portion isused to break electrical continuity in one or more conductive pathsbetween the line and load side of the device. A reset button 30 forminga part of the reset portion extends through opening 32 in the faceportion 16 of the housing 12. The reset button is used to activate areset operation, which reestablishes electrical continuity to openconductive paths. Electrical connections to existing householdelectrical wiring are made via binding screws 34 and 36, where screw 34is an input or line phase connection, and screw 36 is an output or loadphase connection. Two additional binding screws 38 and 40 (see FIG. 2)are located on the opposite side of the receptacle 10. These additionalbinding screws provide line and load neutral connections, respectively.A more detailed description of a GFCI receptacle is provided in U.S.Pat. No. 4,595,894, which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference. Binding screws 34, 36, 38 and 40 are exemplary of the typesof wiring terminals that can be used to provide the electricalconnections. Examples of other types of wiring terminals include setscrews, pressure clamps, pressure plates, push-in type connections,pigtails and quick connect tabs.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, the conductive path between the line phaseconnector 34 and the load phase connector 36 includes contact arm 50which is movable between a stressed and an unstressed position, contact52 mounted to movable contact arm 50, contact arm 54 secured to ormonolithically formed into the load phase connection 36 and fixedcontact 56 mounted to the contact arm 54. The user accessible load phaseconnection for this embodiment includes terminal assembly 58 having twobinding terminals 60 which are capable of engaging a prong of a maleplug inserted there between. The conductive path between the line phaseconnection 34 and the user accessible load phase connection includescontact arm 50, movable contact 62 mounted to contact arm 50, contactarm 64 secured to or monolithically formed into terminal assembly 58,and fixed contact 66 mounted to contact arm 64. These conductive pathsare collectively called the phase conductive path.

[0032] Similar to the above, the conductive path between the lineneutral connector 38 and the load neutral connector 40 includes contactarm 70 which is movable between a stressed and an unstressed position,movable contact 72 mounted to contact arm 70, contact arm 74 secured toor monolithically formed into load neutral connection 40, and fixedcontact 76 mounted to contact arm 74. The user accessible load neutralconnection for this embodiment includes terminal assembly 78 having twobinding terminals 80 which are capable of engaging a prong of a maleplug inserted there between. The conductive path between the lineneutral connector 38 and the user accessible load neutral connectorincludes contact arm 70, contact arm 84 secured to or monolithicallyformed into terminal assembly 78, and fixed contact 86 mounted tocontact arm 84. These conductive paths are collectively called theneutral conductive path.

[0033] Continuing with FIG. 2, the circuit interrupting portion has acircuit interrupter and electronic circuitry capable of sensing faults,e.g., current imbalances, on the hot and/or neutral conductors. In anembodiment of the GFCI receptacle, the circuit interrupter includes acoil assembly 90, a plunger 92 responsive to the energizing andde-energizing of the coil assembly and a banger 94 connected to theplunger 92. The banger 94 has a pair of banger dogs 96 and 98 whichinteract with movable latching members 100 used to set and resetelectrical continuity in one or more conductive paths. The coil assembly90 is activated in response to the sensing of a ground fault by, forexample, the sense circuitry shown in FIG. 5 that includes adifferential transformer that senses current imbalances.

[0034] The reset portion includes reset button 30, movable latchingmembers 100 connected to the reset button 30, latching fingers 102 andnormally open momentary reset contacts 104 and 106 that temporarilyactivate the circuit interrupting portion when the reset button isdepressed, when in the tripped position. The latching fingers 102 areused to engage side R of each contact arm 50, 70 and move the arms 50,70 back to the stressed position where contacts 52, 62 touch contacts56, 66 respectively, and where contacts 72, 82 touch contacts 76, 86respectively. At this time the GFCI is in its conducting state and thereset button 30 is in the first position, that being where the topsurface of the button is substantially flush with the GFCI. As can beseen in FIG. 2, the engagement of latching finger with the bottomsurface of movable member 50 limits the upward movement of reset buttonto be substantially flush with the top surface of the GFCI.

[0035] The movable latching members 100 can be common to each portion(i.e., the circuit interrupting, reset and reset lockout portions) andused to facilitate making, breaking or locking out of electricalcontinuity of one or more of the conductive paths. However, the circuitinterrupting devices according to the present application alsocontemplate embodiments where there is no common mechanism or memberbetween each portion of between certain portions. Further, the presentapplication also contemplates using circuit interrupting devices thathave circuit interrupting, reset and reset lockout portions tofacilitate making, breaking or locking out of the electrical continuityof one or both of the phase or neutral conductive paths.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reset lockoutportion includes latching fingers 102 which, after the device istripped, engages side L of the movable arms 50, 70 so as to block themovable arms 50, 70 from moving. By blocking movement of the movablearms 50, 70; contacts 52 and 56, contacts 62 and 66, contacts 72 and 76,and contacts 82 and 86 are prevented from touching. Alternatively, onlyone of the movable arms 50 or 70 may be blocked so that their respectivecontacts are prevented from touching. Further, in this embodiment,latching fingers 102 act as an active inhibitor to prevent the contactsfrom touching. Alternatively, the natural bias of movable arms 50 and 70can be used as a passive inhibitor that prevents the contacts fromtouching. As just noted, after the device is tripped and is in itsnon-conducting state, the latching finger 102 is located above the topside of the movable member 50 and does not engage movable member 50.Thus, latching member 100 is free to move to its uppermost position toposition the reset button to the second position, that being where thetop of the reset button projects beyond the top surface of the GFCI.

[0037] Thus, when the device is in the conducting state, the top of thereset button is substantially flush with the top surface of the device;and, when the device is in the non-conducting state, the top of thereset button is at a new position which is beyond the top surface of thedevice.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, the GFCI receptacle is shown in a setposition where movable contact arm 50 is in a stressed condition so thatmovable contact 52 is in electrical engagement with fixed contact 56 ofcontact arm 54. If the sensing circuitry of the GFCI receptacle senses aground fault, the coil assembly 90 is energized to draw plunger 92 intothe coil assembly 90 and banger 94 moves upwardly. As the banger movesupward, the banger front dog 98 strikes the latch member 100 causing itto pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the joint created by thetop edge 112 and inner surface 114 of finger 110. The movement of thelatch member 100 removes the latching finger 102 from engagement withside R of the remote end 116 of the movable contact arm 50, and permitsthe contact arm 50 to return to its pre-stressed condition openingcontacts 52 and 56.

[0039] After tripping, the coil assembly 90 is de-energized, spring 93returns plunger 92 to its original extended position and banger 94 movesto its original position releasing latch member 100. At this time, thelatch member 100 is in a lockout position where latch finger 102inhibits movable contact 52 from engaging fixed contact 56. One or bothlatching fingers 102 can act as an active inhibitor to prevent thecontacts from touching. Alternatively, the natural bias of movable arms50 and 70 can be used as a passive inhibitor that prevents the contactsfrom touching.

[0040] To reset the GFCI receptacle so that contacts 52 and 56 areclosed and continuity in the phase conductive path is re-established,the reset button 30 is depressed sufficiently to overcome the bias forceof return spring 120 and moves the latch member 100 in the direction ofarrow A. Depressing the reset button 30 causes the latch finger 102 tocontact side L of the movable contact arm 50 and, continued depressionof the reset button 30, forces the latch member to overcome the stressforce exerted by the arm 50 to cause the reset contact 104 on the arm 50to close on reset contact 106. Closing the reset contacts activates theoperation of the circuit interrupter by, for example simulating a fault,so that plunger 92 moves the banger 94 upwardly striking the latchmember 100 which pivots the latch finger 102, while the latch member 100continues to move in the direction of arrow A. As a result, the latchfinger 102 is lifted over side L of the remote end 116 of the movablecontact arm 50 onto side R of the remote end of the movable contact arm.Contact arm 50 now returns to its unstressed position, opening contacts52 and 56, and contacts 62 and 66, to terminate the activation of thecircuit interrupting portion, thereby de-energizing the coil assembly90.

[0041] After the circuit interrupter operation is activated, the coilassembly 90 is de-energized, plunger 92 returns to its original extendedposition, banger 94 releases the latch member 100, and latch finger 102is in a reset position. Release of the reset button causes the latchingmember 100 and movable contact arm 50 to move in the direction of arrowB until contact 52 electrically engages contact 56, as seen in FIG. 2.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a partial view of theblocking member and reset button in the GFCI where the top of thereceptacle is shown in dotted outline to more clearly show therelationship between the blocking member, reset button and receptacleopenings 20, 21 for receiving the prongs of a plug. In this embodiment,the blocking member 306 is located between the housing 12 and the coverportion 16 of the receptacle and is selectively operated to block theplug receiving openings 20 in the face of the receptacle 16 when theGFCI is in its non-conducting state, and allow the prongs of a plug tobe inserted into the openings when the device is in its conductingstate.

[0043] In FIG. 7, the blocking member 306 is located under the coverportion of the receptacle and supports two end portions 308 which can bepositioned to selectively block the openings 20. The blocking member canbe composed of insulating or conducting material and be made from flatsheet material or wire. The reset button 30 is positioned to contact anedge of the blocking member and has an upper section 300, a lowersection 302 and an intermediate section 304. The reset button can becircular, rectangular or square, and the upper section has a width ordiameter that is greater than that of the lower section.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, the blocking member 306 (shown in dottedoutline), which is made of flat stock insulating material, is locatedwithin the body of the face portion 16 or immediately behind the faceportion of housing 12, and supports blocking ends 308 positioned toassume a first position which blocks at least one opening, such asopenings 20 in the receptacle or a second position which does not blockthe openings in the receptacle. The blocking ends of the blockingmember, when in the first position, are located between the plugreceiving openings in the face portion of the receptacle and top end ofthe electrical contacts of the receptacle associated with the openings.

[0045] Returning to FIG. 7, the blocking member 306 is urged by spring310 to be in constant contact with the reset button 30. When theblocking member 306 engages the lower section 302 of the reset button,the blocking ends 308 of the blocking member is positioned to block thereceptacle openings 20 to prevent a prong of a plug from engaging thereceptacle contacts. In a similar manner, when the blocking member 306engages the upper section 300 of the reset button, the blocking ends 308of the blocking member are positioned away form the receptacle openings20 and the prongs of a plug can be inserted into the receptacle. Thegeometries of the blocking member, the openings 20 in the receptacle andthe reset button, and their positions relative to each other are suchthat the receptacle openings are blocked when the blocking memberengages the lower section 302 of the reset button and they are notblocked when the blocking member engages the upper section 300. Theconical or intermediate section 304 enables the blocking member toeasily transition between the sections 302 and 300 as the reset buttonmoves up or down.

[0046] As noted above, when the GFCI is in the conductive state thereset button is in its first position, that of being locatedsubstantially within the housing of the GFCI. When in this state, theupper section 300 of the reset button engages and moves the blockingmember 306 against the force of the spring 310 to position the ends 308to clear (not block) the receptacle openings 20. When the GFCI is in thenon-conductive state, the reset button is in its second position, thatof projecting outward beyond the top surface of the receptacle. When inthis state, the lower section 302 of the reset button, through theaction of spring 310, moves the blocking member 306 to position the ends308 to block the receptacle openings 20.

[0047] Thus, in operation, the blocking member blocks at least oneopening of each receptacle when the GFCI is in the tripped ornon-conducting state. Once a reset is attempted, if functional, as thereset button is depressed and released, it lifts the contact arm 50which closes the main contacts and the reset button stays in the firstposition. At this time the upper section 300 of the reset button movesthe ends of the blocking member away from the openings in the receptacleto allow the prongs of a plug to be inserted.

[0048] Referring to the prior art schematic diagram shown in FIG. 5, thecircuit of the GFCI for detecting faults utilizes bridge contacts toprovide protection for the receptacle contacts. More specifically,contact arm 50 supports two contacts 52 and 62. Contact 52 cooperateswith contact 56 and contact 62 cooperates with contact 66. In operation,when the prior art GFCI is in its no fault state, contacts 52 and 56 areclosed and contacts 62 and 66 are closed to allow receptacle contact 60to be connected to the load phase contact 36. When the GFCI is in itsfault state, contacts 52 and 62 are not connected to contacts 56 and 66respectively. Contacts 52, 56 and 62, 66 are referred to as bridgecontacts. They provide isolation between the line phase contact 34, theload phase contact 36 and the receptacle contact 60. In a similarmanner, bridge contacts 72, 76 and 82, 86 provided isolation of the lineneutral contact 38 from the load neutral contact 40 and the receptaclecontact 80. A more economical separation of the line neutral contact 38and line phase contact 34 from the receptacle contacts and the loadcontacts is disclosed in FIG. 6. Referring specifically to contact arm50, movable contact 62 and fixed contact 66 are not required and areeliminated, and lead 61 from receptacle contact 60 is connected at point39 to lead 37 which connects contact 36 to contact 56. In a similarmanner, movable contact 82 attached to contact arm 70 and fixed contact86 are not now required and are eliminated, and lead 81 from receptaclecontact 80 is connected at point 43 to lead 41 which connects contact 40to contact 76. As shown in FIG. 6, the contacts 60, 80 of the receptacleand the contacts 36, 40 of the load are connected together and they, inturn, are connected to the line contacts 34, 38 only when the GFCI is ina no fault (conducting) state. Under normal operating conditions whenthere is no fault on the line, current flow is from the line contactsthrough the GFCI to the load contacts 36,40 and to the receptaclecontacts 60, 80.

[0049] Although the components used during circuit interrupting anddevice reset operations as described above are electromechanical innature, the present application also contemplates using electricalcomponents, such as solid state switches and supporting circuitry, aswell as other types of components capable of making and breakingelectrical continuity in the conductive path.

[0050] While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental features of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and detailsof the device described and illustrated and in its operation may be madeby those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

1-26. (cancelled)
 27. A circuit interrupting device comprising: ahousing; a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path eachdisposed at least partially within said housing between a line side anda load side, said phase conductive path terminating at a firstconnection capable of being electrically connected to a source ofelectricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to atleast one load and a third connection capable of conducting electricityto at least one user accessible load, and said neutral conductive pathterminating at a first connection capable of being electricallyconnected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable ofproviding a neutral connection to said at least one load and a thirdconnection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at leastone user accessible load; a circuit interrupting portion disposed withinsaid housing comprising a movable arm having contacts thereon adapted todisengage from fixed contacts to cause electrical discontinuity in saidphase and neutral conductive paths between said line side and said loadside upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition; a reset portiondisposed at least partially within said housing and configured toreestablish electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductivepaths; said circuit interrupting device further comprising a resetlockout portion that prevents reestablishing electrical continuity insaid phase and neutral conductive paths if said circuit interruptingportion is non-conducting, or if an open neutral condition exists or ifa reverse wiring condition exists; wherein said reset portion comprises:a reset button adapted to assume a first or second position relative tothe housing when the circuit interrupting device is in a conducting ornon-conducting state; and at least one reset contact capable ofcontacting at least a portion of said phase conductive path to causesaid predetermined condition, wherein if said circuit interruptingportion is operational, the circuit interrupting portion is activated todisable said reset lockout portion and facilitate reestablishingelectrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths, andwherein if said circuit interrupting portion is non-conducting, saidreset lockout portion remains enabled so that reestablishing electricalcontinuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths is prevented;blocking means coupled to said reset button to block the thirdconnection from being connected to a user accessible load while thecircuit interrupting portion is in a non-conducting state; wherein theblocking means is adapted to be moved to a first position when saidreset button is in its first position to allow the third connection tobe connected to the user accessible load while the circuit interruptingportion is conducting and to be moved to a second position when saidreset button is in its second position to prevent the third connectionbeing connected to the user accessible load while the circuitinterrupting portion is non-conducting; and wherein said blocking meansis urged by said reset button to said first position and is urged by aspring member to said second position.